Your Vote Truly Does Count: Monmouth County Mayor Election Down to 1 Vote Difference

Four-term mayor Gerald J. Tarantolo, Democrat, only leads the race for re-election in Eatontown by one vote, over Republican challenger Dennis Connelly, Council President.

Connelly had been ahead in the polls by only 8 votes, but after mail-in votes were tallied, it swung the election win to Tarantolo by just one vote, according to the Asbury Park Press.

The unofficial results from Monmouth County, which experienced a technical glitch on the night of the election November 4, shows Tarantolo ahead at 1,478 and Connelly at 1,477.

Now, the election may come down to 13 provisional paper ballots that are still awaiting count, according to the Star Ledger.

Provisional ballots are provided to voters at polling stations that need their voting qualifications verified. The voters are required to fill in a form with their information and then send it in to the Superintendent of Elections Office, where it then goes to the Board of Elections Office, and then finally, the Commissioners of the Boards of Elections.

However, even once these provisional votes are counted, the candidates most likely will call for a recount.

“Parties have that right to challenge and often do in a close race,” said M. Claire French, Monmouth County Clerk, told the Press.

In the event of a tie after the provisional votes are tallied, a runoff election would then take place.

Patch will update this story when more information becomes available.